It’s crucial to remember that the symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms commonly appear in early adulthood (between the ages of 17 and 45), however they can appear as early as childhood or much later in life in some persons. Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips are the most typical symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis, and the pain is worst after periods of inactivity or when you wake up after sleeping. The following are the most typically affected areas:
You may experience pain on only one side of your body at first, or it may alternate sides. The pain is usually mild and spreads throughout your body rather than being isolated. You may also experience a minor temperature, loss of appetite, and general pain in the early stages of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by a persistent, dull discomfort that radiates from deep into the lower back or buttocks, as well as morning stiffness. It’s fairly uncommon for symptoms to increase, improve, or disappear at regular periods. Back discomfort that wakes you up in the middle of the night is an essential sign. It’s vital to distinguish between inflammatory and mechanical back pain, and many patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis discover that exercise can help them feel better. Because the joints in the spine fuse together, people with Ankylosing Spondylitis may experience tiredness and lose range of motion and flexibility. When you breathe in, the condition might make it difficult for your chest to expand. Fractures of the spinal bones are the most significant complication. Ankylosing Spondylitis causes various types of heart problems in about two to ten percent of patients with the disease.
Is ankylosing spondylitis a dangerous disease?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a complicated condition that, if left untreated, can lead to major problems. Many people’s symptoms and problems can be controlled or lessened by sticking to a regular treatment schedule.
People should engage directly with their rheumatologists to develop a treatment plan that suits them and allows them to live their best lives.
What is the definition of AS?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine and other parts of the body. Teenagers and young adults are the most commonly affected by AS. It’s also twice as common in men as it is in women.
With ankylosing spondylitis, is it possible to live a regular life?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and back. The joints and ligaments that typically allow the spine to move become inflamed and inflexible in those who have ankylosing spondylitis. The spine’s bones may grow together, leading it to become hard and inflexible. Hips, shoulders, knees, and ankles are some of the other joints that might become implicated.
Prognosis
With ankylosing spondylitis, almost everyone can expect to live a normal and productive life. Only a few patients with ankylosing spondylitis will become seriously crippled, despite the chronic nature of the disease. Pain management and inflammation control can help ankylosing spondylitis patients deal with the day-to-day issues that come with the disease. Many of the disease’s consequences can be controlled by paying attention to posture and body position, as well as conducting exercises on a daily basis.
Ankylosing spondylitis is rarely crippling, and most people are able to manage their symptoms. Keep in mind that each person with ankylosing spondylitis has a unique response to treatment; what works for one person may not work for you. Be patient and take an active role in your treatment. Even though there is no cure at this time, you can control your symptoms a lot on your own.
Fertility and pregnancy
Pregnancy in women with ankylosing spondylitis is frequently uneventful for both the mother and the baby. Some drugs, however, can be dangerous to unborn children. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should consult your doctor before taking any medications.
Incidence
Young males between the ages of 16 and 35 are more likely to develop symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. Women’s symptoms are frequently milder and more harder to diagnose, thus it’s less common in them.
Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 5% of children, and boys are more prone than girls to develop it. Ankylosing spondylitis commonly starts in the hips, knees, soles of heels, or big toes in youngsters, and can move to the spine later.
Eight percent of healthy white Americans and two to three percent of healthy African Americans have the gene. Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 300,000 Americans (less than 1% of the adult population). Whites are three times more likely than African Americans to contract the disease.
Acquisition
Ankylosing spondylitis appears to be inherited, with approximately one in every five people suffering from the disease having a family who also suffers from it. In most persons with AS, a genetic “marker” called HLA-B27 is present. However, the majority of persons who test positive for the marker (about 80%) never acquire the condition. It’s unclear what “triggers” the condition in patients who are susceptible to it (i.e., those who test positive for HLA-B27).
Credits
Some of this information may also be found in a booklet published by the Arthritis Foundation. The Washington/Alaska Chapter Helpline can be reached at (800) 542-0295. If calling from outside of Washington and Alaska, dial (800) 283-7800 to reach the National Helpline.
Anatomy
Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, which means it can affect a person’s entire body. It can cause a fever, loss of appetite, and weariness, as well as damage to other organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes, in addition to the joints. The low back is usually the only part of the body that is affected.
The most common organ affected by ankylosing spondylitis is the eye. One-fourth of persons with ankylosing spondylitis experience eye inflammation (iritis) from time to time. Iritis causes a red, irritated eye that also causes photophobia (pain when exposed to bright light). It’s a potentially dangerous ailment that needs to be treated by an ophthalmologist. Fortunately, it seldom results in blindness, but it can impair vision while the inflammation persists.
Ankylosing spondylitis is occasionally accompanied with psoriasis, a scaly skin disorder. Ankylosing spondylitis can develop difficulties with the heart or lungs in rare circumstances, usually when the disease has been present for a long time. It can affect the aorta, a big blood vessel that transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Ankylosing spondylitis can induce inflammation where the heart and aorta meet, potentially resulting in aorta enlargement.
Psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Reiter’s syndrome can all cause symptoms comparable to ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is known to be linked to bowel inflammation, which is why persons with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms
Ankylosing spondylitis commonly begins with inflammation in the sacroiliac joints, which connect the lower spine to the pelvis. During moments of rest or inactivity, the pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis is exacerbated. Ankylosing spondylitis patients frequently wake up in the middle of the night with back pain. Symptoms usually improve with mobility and exercise.
Progression
Pain and stiffness in the upper spine, as well as the chest and neck, may increase over time. The sacroiliac and spinal bones may eventually fuse or grow together as a result of the inflammation. When this happens, the spine, especially the neck, loses its natural flexibility, and the entire spine becomes rigid. Of the same way, the bones in the chest may merge, preventing normal chest expansion when breathing.
Hips, shoulders, knees, and ankles may become inflamed and uncomfortable, and mobility may be lost as a result. If these joints are deteriorated to the extent where daily activities are hampered or uncomfortable, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or total shoulder arthroplasty may be used to surgically reconstruct them. The heels may be affected, making standing or walking on hard surfaces painful.
Diagnosis
Symptoms (pain, stiffness) and X-rays indicating inflammation of the sacroiliac joints at the rear of the pelvis are commonly used to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis.
Diagnostic tests
Your doctor may run a blood test to look for the HLA-B27 gene if your symptoms or X-rays suggest ankylosing spondylitis but the diagnosis is ambiguous. Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 90% of those who test positive for this gene.
Treatment
Ankylosing spondylitis treatment should aim to alleviate pain and stiffness, prevent abnormalities, and allow you to continue with your typical activities.
If these methods fail to give adequate relief and the spine, hips, knees, or shoulders become damaged or painful, reconstructive surgical treatments such as spine surgery, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or total shoulder arthroplasty are possible.
Health care team
You should go to a specialist who specializes in arthritis treatment. Your doctor will collaborate with you to determine when you require more medical assistance, such as physical or occupational therapy.
The most effective treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is a collaborative effort between you and your healthcare providers.
Exercise and therapy
An important aspect of the overall therapy of ankylosing spondylitis is regular exercise. Your physical therapist with arthritis experience can create an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. Back and neck strengthening exercises can help you maintain or improve your posture. Deep breathing exercises and cardiovascular workouts will aid in the flexibility of the chest and rib cage. Swimming is a great approach to exercise because it develops spinal flexibility, neck, shoulder, and hip joint movement, and deep breathing.
If you’re having trouble exercising because you’re stiff and painful, consider soaking in a hot bath or shower to loosen up. Start cautiously and execute your workouts when you are the least tired or in the least amount of pain.
You should talk to your internist, family doctor, or rheumatologist about whether or not your general medical condition would allow you to exercise. Initiating a fitness program for someone who has never done one before should be done under the supervision of a physician or physical therapist.
Physical therapy isn’t thought to stop AS from progressing, but it may help some individuals with their symptoms.
Posture
Make every effort to maintain a straight spine. Make sure you sleep on a firm mattress. Without a pillow under your head, try sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your back with a thin pillow or one that supports the hollow of your neck is another option. Rather than sleeping in a curled posture, keep your legs straight. If sleeping in these postures is challenging for you, talk to a physical therapist about additional possibilities.
Keep your spine as straight as possible while walking or sitting, with your shoulders squared and your head up. Standing with your back against the wall, your heels, buttocks, shoulders, and head should all be able to touch the wall at the same time to determine proper posture. Make sure your chairs and work surfaces don’t cause you to slouch or stoop.
In general, corsets and braces are ineffective in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Maintaining excellent posture is significantly easier if you exercise properly.
Medications
Medication is frequently a continuous and necessary aspect of treatment. While drugs do not cure ankylosing spondylitis, they do reduce pain and stiffness, allowing you to exercise, keep excellent posture, and carry on with your daily routine.
Ankylosing spondylitis is treated with a variety of medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are pain relievers that reduce inflammation. Indomethacin, piroxicam, and naproxyn are common NSAIDs. Stomach distress, limb swelling, and ulcers or bleeding from the stomach are all possible side effects of NSAIDs. COX-2 inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib) are newer NSAIDs that may be able to alleviate inflammation and pain with fewer adverse effects. In the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, aspirin has been found to be ineffective. To treat both the inflammation and the discomfort, higher doses of NSAIDs are frequently required.
Sulfasalazine, a drug, has been found to lessen the inflammation and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, although it is unknown whether it can delay or stop the disease’s progression. Some of the new drugs that target TNF, an inflammatory molecule, are being studied as possible treatments that could impact the illness’s progression.
Take whatever medications your doctor prescribes for you exactly as instructed, even if you appear to be in good health. Also, discuss any potential side effects with your doctor, as well as what to do if they occur. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
Surgery
Surgery is a somewhat uncommon treatment option for ankylosing spondylitis. Many patients are able to regain use of joints that have been compromised by ankylosing spondylitis and other kinds of arthritis thanks to joint replacement surgery. Ankylosing spondylitis can be treated with hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. Surgery to straighten the spine can be done in rare cases, but it takes a lot of skill and should only be done by people who have done it before.
Strategies for coping
People with chronic illnesses like ankylosing spondylitis learn to live with emotional ups and downs over time.
Accepting adjustments is a common part of learning to cope with ankylosing spondylitis. Changes in your relationships, job habits, and leisure activities may be required. It’s possible that you’ll have to deal with changes in your physical appearance. You may feel unhappy, worried, depressed, or angry as a result of all of these various changes. Talking about your feelings with a family member, close friend, counselor, or someone else who has ankylosing spondylitis can sometimes help.
Asking for help
There may be moments when you and your family confront challenges caused by your sickness that you are unsure how to address. You might wish to speak with a counselor who has worked with arthritis patients before. If that’s the case, your doctor will most likely be able to suggest one. It may also be beneficial to meet other families who are dealing with ankylosing spondylitis.
Several organizations exist to educate and support persons who suffer with ankylosing spondylitis. The Spondylitis Association of America is one of them. In addition, the American College of Rheumatology can help you discover a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in the treatment of spondylitis) or learn about new developments in the understanding and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis.
Work
Most persons with ankylosing spondylitis can maintain a productive and vigorous job schedule. The following recommendations may be useful whether you work from home or not. Discussing your employment with your rheumatologist may be beneficial.
If your current employment requires a lot of stooping or puts a lot of strain on your back, you should seek advice from a vocational rehabilitation agency in your state. If your experience, education, or training make it difficult for you to change employment, the agency may be able to assist you.
Family and friends
Most types of arthritis do not prevent people from having romantic and sexual relationships. However, difficulties like pain and limited movement—particularly in the hip joint—can occasionally stand in the way of sexual pleasure. It’s possible that some extra planning is all that’s required.
Communication is one of the most critical parts of a successful sexual relationship. You and your relationship can probably overcome practically any obstacle if you and your spouse are comfortable discussing each other’s needs.
Adaptive aids
If parts of your joints have fused or you already have limited joint mobility, using adaptive equipment or self-help devices may be beneficial. If your back or hips don’t bend readily, a long-handled shoehorn or sock assist can help.
Always use a seat belt with a shoulder harness and make sure your car’s headrest is positioned to support your neck when driving. If a stiff neck or back makes backing into parking spaces difficult, install extra-wide mirrors in your vehicle.
Avoid activities that could lead you to fall or cause a quick impact because your neck and spine are easily injured. Discuss measures to avoid injury and increase your capacity to perform with your doctor or occupational therapist.
What organs are affected by ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a persistent inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints caused by a kind of degenerative arthritis. It can also affect the eyes, lungs, kidneys, shoulders, knees, hips, heart, and ankles, among other joints and organs.
Is walking affected by ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a kind of inflammatory arthritis that mostly affects the axial bone and the sacroiliac joints. The most common clinical signs are spinal stiffness and inflammatory back pain, which can limit ankylosing spondylitis patients’ ability to walk. However, published research reveal inconsistencies in ankylosing spondylitis gait features, as well as variety in task requirements, types of equipment, data collecting, and analysis approaches used to assess gait ability in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis.
Will ankylosing spondylitis put me in a wheelchair?
Kevin is my name. I am 57 years old and live in the United Kingdom. My troubles began around 50 years ago, when even less was known about this disease and if you had symptoms, they were either growing pains or your imagination.
There was no treatment other than painkillers. It took 23 years for a diagnosis to be made. The following are the exact words of the Rheumatologist who gave me my diagnosis:
“You have Ankylosing Spondylitis,” says the doctor. It’s a rare condition with no cure that will leave you in a wheelchair. Goodbye, and I’ll see you in six months.”
So here I am, bent with severe Kyphosis, fully fused spine, chronic Iritis, breathing hampered by fused ribs, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Insulin-dependent Diabetes, IBS, and Carpel tunnel syndrome 27 years later. (However, hurrah for no wheelchair.)
My images show that I have a classic case of Ankylosing Spondylitis. I realize it’s not a pretty sight, but this is who I am. I’m powerless to alter my appearance. I used to try to disguise it by avoiding mirrors and store windows and refusing to have my picture taken, but I’ve lately realized that it’s pointless. Everyone else is able to see me. Hiding from myself does not improve my appearance in the eyes of others, and it just makes me unhappy. I would not be who I am now if I didn’t have Ankylosing Spondylitis; my entire life would have been different. I wouldn’t have my beautiful Daughters and Grandchildren if I didn’t have my wonderful Daughters and Grandchildren. I would not have met Joanne, my wonderful wife. And I wouldn’t have met all of my lovely pals who share my Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosis.
So, while AS can be a very restricting, painful, and disfiguring disease, realize that without it, you wouldn’t be the great people you are.
What happens if you don’t treat ankylosing spondylitis?
This cycle of inflammation, calcification, scarring, and bone formation can return if left untreated, resulting in the pain and stiffness that ankylosing spondylitis is known for. The joints in the spine are the most usually affected.
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause symptoms outside of the spine, such as persistent inflammation of the heart and eyes, and/or limited lung capacity due to inadequate chest mobility and scarring. People with ankylosing spondylitis should have their continuous medication managed by a rheumatologist because these symptoms are possible.
What is the best spondylitis treatment?
The most popular treatments used to treat ankylosing spondylitis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, and others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others).